Partial impact theory

Partial impact theory is an astronomical theory describing the partial collision of two stars and the temporary creation of a bright third star as a consequence.

The theory was explained in Alexander William Bickerton's book The Romance of the Heavens published in 1901.

The temporary star expands after the impact displaying an intense increase in light, after all molecular reactions have taken place the light is replaced by a hollow shell of gas or possibly a planetary nebula, and eventually dissipates into space.

Bickerton explains this bright temporary star by saying that it doesn't disappear due to cooling, but that it was too hot to hold together.

The stability of the third body depends on the size of the contact of the original stars, if the contact was small then the mass of the newly created third body will find it harder to attract molecules to it.